Reports were received from 131 schools, with a total
population of 98,494 students. The absenteeism rate was
7.52%. This rate is up from 7.07% the week before.

Reports were received from 58 nursing homes with a total
population of 8,269. The reported influenza-like illness
rate was 1.95%, down slightly from 2.00% the week before.

Reports were received from 46 hospital emergency
departments. During the 24 hour surveillance period, a
total of 5,661 patients were seen, of which 10.63% were
being seen because of a respiratory influenza-like illness.
This figure was up from 9.90% the week before.

In the past week, no new viral cultures positive for
influenza have been reported.

Nationwide, since October 1, 73% of influenza specimens
typed have been A, and 27% have been B. Of those typed as
A, 96% were H1N1 and 4% were H3N2. Of the H1N1, 95% were
similar to the A New Caledonia strain that was included in
this year's vaccine. The remaining 5% were similar to A
Bayern. Although the A Bayern strain is antigenically
distinct from the A New Caledonia strain, there is good
cross-reactivity between the antibody produced by the A New
Caledonia vaccine component and the A Bayern virus, thus
this year's vaccine should provide good protection against A
Bayern. All H3N2 virus isolated was antigenically similar
to the A Panama strain included in this year's vaccine. All
influenza B viruses isolated were antigenically similar to B
Beijing which was included in this year's vaccine. Thus
this year's vaccine is providing good coverage against the
virus strains known to be circulating in the United States
at this time.

There continues to be a gradual rise in school absenteeism
since mid-November, and within the past two weeks, a greater
rise in the percentage of patients being seen in hospital
emergency departments with influenza-like respiratory
complaints. This is likely to represent an increase in
influenza activity in New Jersey, but the apparent activity
has not reached outbreak levels. It is reasonable to expect
that influenza-like illness will continue to increase in all
parts of New Jersey in the coming weeks.